Container



June 13, 1939. J, (,7. LA GRUA CONTAINER Filed Feb. 10, 1937 50 figs INVENTOR 50 tainer.

Patented June 13, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CONTAINER James 0. La Grua New. Haven, Conn., assignor,

by mesne assignments, to President and Directors of the Manhattan Company, New York,

N. Y., as trustees Application February; (1937, Serial No. 124,957

6 Claims.

tion a cover is provided comprising a rim which telescopes over the open end of the body,- and an end piece separable from'the rim. The rim is soconstructed as to firmly grip the container body and prevent movement of the body wall either inwardly or outwardly relative to the rim. The rim is sufficiently rigid to maintain the desired shape of the container body undertheusual conditions of use. The end piece as well as the container body'may be formed'frompaperboard or other material adapted for' the purpose. My improved cover assembly finds particular usefulness in connection'with container bodies which have been weakened, as by scoring to permit collapse of the body so that the same can be shipped and stored in substantially flat, compact condition. My improved cover is applied when the body has been expanded to its normal shape and the container filled with contents.

An objectof the invention is to provide .a container and cover assembly in which the cover serves to reinforce and strengthen the adjacent end of the container and prevent outward bulging or inward collapse of the adjacent portion of the container.

Another object of the invention is to provide a container and cover assembly wherein a por- 40 tion of the cover maybe removed to permit accessto the container and another portion of the cover remains fixed on the container to reinforce and strengthen the latter and maintain the desired predetermined shape thereof. Another object of the invention is to vprovide a container cover which can be economically and easily produced; which can bequickly and read- I ily, assembled on-the container body and which permits ready access to the interior of the con- Various other features and advantages 'of the invention will be apparent from the following particular description andfrom' an inspection of;

the accompanying drawing. 55 -Although the novel features whichare believed to be characteristic of thisinvention will be particularly pointed out in the claims appended hereto, the invention itself, as to its objects and advantages, and the manner in which it may be carried out, may be better understood by referring to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing forming a part thereof, in which:

Fig. 1 is a fr mentary side elevational view of the top portion of a container constructed in accordance with the present invention and i1- lustrating one form of cover in association with construction;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary cross sectional view of a container and cover assembly of somewhat 'modified construction;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of a container and cover assembly of further modified construction;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view showing still another modified form of coverand body construction;

-Fig. 5 is a fragmentary rcross-sectional view' applicable to numerous shapes and forms of con-" tainer bodies used in the packaging of'liquid, sem1-liquid, dry, granular or powdered materials. i

Referring now particularly to Fig. 1, there is shown by way of example acontainer body I, of generally cylindrical shape, having associated therewith a cover! 'adapted to telescope over the end of the container body I and tovclose one tainer body I may be formed of a blank-I of paperboard, or other suitable material, suitably scored as at l, or otherwisecreased. to permit the bodyto be collapsed in flat condition for storage or shipment. It is' understood that the body may be formed of spiral wound paperboard which may or may not bescored' to permit collapse thereof. The upper end of the container body I a container body certain of .the parts being broken away to illustrate certain features of the end such as the open. end thereof. The con.-

may be provided witha flange .6,-f ormed, for

"of the rolled lip l2 example of paperboard which may either be integral with or attached to the blank 2 whereby to provide an external flange serving both .to reinforce the upper end of the container body I and to provide a flange for locking thecover 2 'in closed sealed position. The bottom of the body I may be closed in any suitable manner, either by a cover similar to the cover 2 or'otherwise.

The cover 2 preferably includes a rim 6, formed of metal or other relatively rigid material, and an endpiece l4 secured to the rim 6 in a manner hereinafter more fully described. When the cover is in position on the container body, it

extends over and closes the open end of the con-- tainer body I.

The rim 6 is formed with a side wall portion 1 which when the cover is assembled in the body, extends along the face of the flange 5. The side wall portion I terminates at its lower end in an inturnedflange I adapted to engage the lower end of the container body 5.

Adjacent the upper .end of the container body I, the rim 8 isformed with a flange 9 which may be of arcuate shape and which extends across the upper edge of the container body I and engages.

the inner wall of the container adjacent the end thereof. Preferably the flange 9 is formed by folding the material of the rim in a flat reverse bend or fold. The folded inturned flange 9 provides a groove or recess ll of suflicient thickness to receive the end of the container body I in wedging engagement, whereby the rim 6 firmly and tightly grips the container body I when the cover is applied.

4 The edge portion I beyond the folded flange 2 is rolled over to form a lip l2 which defines a groove or recess-l3 adapted to snug r eive the and piece It. The latter is wedg y engaged between the extreme end and the upper wall. of the folded flange 9.

The rim t may be formed by bending a flat elongated strip of suitable material to provide the desired cross-sectional shape which operation can be automatically performed on a. draw bench or other device well known to the metal worker. The stripis then cut into segments of the desired length to form an endless member of circular shape or other suitable."shapeaccording to the cross-sectional shape of the container body. The end piece ll isasaembled with the rim 6, and if desired,the lip l2 may be crimped against the.

end piece II to more flrmly lock it in tion.

The cover is then applied to the container y I by telescoping the side wall I over the com tainer bodyflangel until the inturned flange 8 engages underthe lower end-of the. flange 8.

mm, the upper end of body is wedged-into the recess II and thus the cover-2 i or the m s, which extends During the latter portion of the telescoping movebytbeinturnedflan'geUandcanOnIybeahconbQ plished by defacing or destroying either the containerbodyiorcdverIorboth. Thusanyattempt to dent,

accomplishedbyrunovingasbytearing the end piece It fromthe rim 2. Ifdesired the end piece ll may be suitablyiscored tofacilitate the'removal. end piece ills-removed, the rim I, grips the container body in-the same manner as before. and prevents outward remove'the coveris-made glaringly evi- Entry into the container is desired and may be orinward collapse-of ;The'

firm and tight rigid rim 6 not only maintains the shape of and reinforces the container body I, but alsoserves as a guard to prevent tearing or fraying of the upper end of the container and also provides a convenient means for lifting the container about. The rim is so constructed that complete access to the container to remove the contents is not in- I be formed generally similar to the container body shown in Fig. 2. The. body 2| as here shown is provided with a flange 2!, formed from a strip 01' material separately-- formed and thereafter attached to the body 'I by an adhesive or other suitable means. The cover 22 includes rim 22 formed of metal or other substantially rigid material and an end piece 29, preferably formed of paperboard. I

' The rim 23 includes a side wall 24 adapted toabut and'extend along the container body flange 2i and is provided with an inturned portion or flange 25 adapted to engage the lower end of the container body flange 2|. Extending inwardly from the upper end of the side wall portion.

is a flange 26 which may be formed by-a flat fold and which preferably is downwardly inclined from the outside toward the inside. The upper edge of the body flange 2| and the body 2| may be made downwardly inclined toward the inside of the container body thereby providing a wall corresponding in slope to the lower wall of the folded flange 28. Thus the body cooperates with the inturned flange 25 both to lock the rim securely on thecontainer body 22 and to prevent inward collapse of the latter, inasmuch 'as the upper end portions of the container body and the body flange 2| are wedged against the lower surface of the folded flange 26.

The rim also has an edge portion 21 extending from the folded flange 26, which portion preferably is flush with the side wall portion 2 and is formed with an inwardly rolled lip 28, which forms with the portion 21 and the flange 28 a groove or recess 20. The end piece 22 is seated in the recess 20 and preferably abuts the inside face of the portion 21 and is grip between the rollededge 28 and the topwall-of the edge portion 2.1 adjacent the base thereof.

The cover 22 may be formed and applied to the containerbody 20 in a manner substantially sim- 3 ilar with that described in connection with the construction shown in Fig. 1. .The rim 22 container body 20 and flange 2| and prevents outward bulging as well as inward collapse. Preferably, the flange 26 terminates at or'nearthe line of theinner face of the container body 2.

and does not project into the of the con- I tainer.

Referring to Fig. 3 th're is shown still another "embodiment of the invention in which the cover rim is so formed as to prevent increased effect on the container-body, whereby toinsure a and container body and to positively prevent any I possibility'of removing the cover. without visible evidence thereof.-

asement between the cover- I The container body 46 may be formed in the manner generally similar to that above described and may have a body flange 4| secured thereto. The upper end edges of the container body 46 and flange 4| are beveled or inclined downwardly from the outside toward the inside of the container body.

The cover 42 includes a rim "formed of. metal or similar relatively rigid material, the rim having a side wall portion 44 adapted to telescope over the flange 4|. The lower end ofthe portion 44 is inturned to form a flange 45 adapted to engage under the lower end of the flange 4|. The rim 43 is formed with a double folded stay portion or flange 46 preferably projecting inwardly and inclined downwardly. The stay portion 46 is provided with an edge portion 41 bent at substantially right angles to the main portion of the flange 46 and adapted to engage the inner wall surface of the container body 46 at or slightly below the top end edge thereof. Preferably, the space between the end of the bent edge portion 41 and the wall portion 43 is such that, when the cover is applied to the container body 46 the latter is gripped tightly by the rim 43 and the edge portion 41. The edge 41 may, if desired, be

a formed to bite into the body when the cover is in position on thebody.

An edge portion-48 extending substantially in alignment with the side wall portion 43 is connected in an inwardly rolled lip 56 which defines a groove or recess 48 adapted to receive an end piece The lip portion 56 is spaced relatively to the base of the flange 46 so as to flrmly grip the end piece 5| when the same has been inserted and thus maintain the end piece 5| in position over the end of the container body 46.

The construction shown in Fig. 3 may be formed and assembled in the'same general manner as those hereinbefore described. The cover 42 operates to reinforce and strengthen the adjacent end of the container body 46 both when the cover is serving to close the container and after the end piece 5| has been removed;

Referring to Fig. 4, there is shown a construction wherein the container body 66 is formed by a blank 6| having a portion rolled outwardly and folded against the blank 6| to form an integral flange 62. A cover 63 is provided and includes a rim 64 and an end piece I6 assembled therewith.

, The rim 64 has a side wall portion 65 adapted to lie against the flange 62 and an inturned flange 66 adapted to engage the lower end of the body flange 6|. The rim 64. is formed with a folded flange 61 of such shape as to fit'over the end portion of the container body 66. The flange 61 is extended downwardly along the inner wall of the body 66 so that an edge portion 68 lies against the inside face of the body 66. Preferably, the space between the side wall 65 and the flange portion 68 is just suflicient to snugly accommodate the corresponding portion 62 of the container body 66. If desired, the portion 68 may be bent slightly toward the side wall portion 65 whereby to exert a pinching action on the body 66 when the cover is assembled therewith.

The edge portion 69 of the rim whichextends beyond the flange 61 is rolled inwardly to form a lip II which defines a groove or recess 12 adapted I to receive the end piece I6. The end piece '16 may be inserted and securely held in the recess I2 until it is desired to open the container.

It will be noted thatin the several forms of the invention thus far described, the container body is provided with a flange adjacent its upper end and the cover rim is formed with an inturned lip or flange adapted to engage under the lower end of the body flange. The present invention is also adapted for use with a container body having no toprim or flange.

One example of a construction of this type is illustrated in Fig. 5, to which reference is now made. A container body 86 having no retaining flange is provided and a cover 8| assembled therewith and secured thereto in a manner which will present appear.

The cover BI is formed by a rim 82 and an end piece 88 which preferably are assembled to form a. cover before applying same to the container body. The rim 82 is formed with a side wall portion 83 and is provided preferably along its lower edge with a series of spaced teeth or prongs 84 adapted to bite into the adjacent wall of the container body 86 whereby to lock the cover 8| on to the container body 86. If desired, the teeth 84 may be inclined upwardly, as indicated in Fig. 5. I

The rim 82 is formed with an arcuate folded flange 65 adapted to extend over the top end of the container body 86 and engage the inner wall thereof adjacent the top end. The space between the inner end of the flange 85 and the ad'- -jacent portion of the side wall 83 1s such that lar to that previously described.

The cover 8| preferably is assembled on the container body 86 by pressing the former down 86 until the upper end of the body wall enters the space between the flange 85 and the side wall 63. Thereafter, the lower end of the side wall portion 83 is pressed inwardly against the container body whereby to force the teeth 84 into the body wall and thus lock the cover 8| onthe container body. It will be seen that the cover 8| cannot be removed without leaving visible evidence of such removal.

Referring to Fig. 6, there is shown/still another form of cover construction, in which form the cover rim is clamped on the container body in somewhat different manner than previously described and in which the end piece cooperates with the rim in a somewhat different-manner. A container body 66 is formed with a top rim or flange I62, which may be integrally formed with the body or separately formed and afterwards attached to the container body. The cover I63 includes a rim I64 preferably formed of metal or other suitable rigid material, and an end piece 'II2 preferably formed of paperboard or other suitable material.\

The rim I64 is formed with a. side wall portion I65 adapted to seat along the body flange I62 and having at its lower end an inturned flange or lip portion I66 adapted to engage under the end of the body flange I62. The rim I64 is rolled inwardly at its upper end to provide an arcuate portion I61 extending over the end of the container body I66, and has a portion III extending downwardly into the mouth of the container body and engaging the inner wall of the body. The portion III is formed with spaced beads I68 and H6 and a recessed portion I68 therebetween, which provides a seat 2 for the reception for the peripheral edge of the end piece H3. The

'in telescoping relation over the container body beadsi09 and I I bear against the inside face of the container body I00 and cooperates with the inturned flange I06 to lock the rim 104 to the container I00. If desired, the edge portion III also may be made tobearagainst the inside face of the container body and may bite into the container body to increase the locking effect. 'Ihecover I03 is assembled on the container body I00 by telescoping rim I04 over the body I00 until the inturned lip I06 snaps around the lower end of the body flange I02. The end piece II3 may be readily removed from the rim I04 leaving the latter in position securely reinforcing and strengthening the container body I00 both against outward bulging and inward collapse and also preventing fraying or splitting of the container body adjacent the open end of the container.

It will now be seen that the present invention provides a container and cover assembly wherein the cover firmly grips the container and is prevented against removal except upon leaving visible evidence of such removal. The rim portion of the cover strengthens and reinforces the container body both when the end piece is in position and after removal thereof and no additional, operations are necessary to produce this reinforcing other than those originally employed when applying the cover to the body. The rim of the cover is so formed that it automatically positions itself on the container body in gripping relation therewitha dautomatically locks itself in position upon application of the cover to the container in closed relation. The inwardly rolled lip provides a smooth top edge to the opened container preventing injury to the user and further gives a neat appearance to the container both when the end piece is in position closing the 'container and after the end piece has been removed to permit access to the interior of the'container. The rim may be made to grip the container in substantially liquid-tight relation so that when the container is used for commodities, such as ice cream, butter, orthe like; which are subject to melting, there is no possibility of leakage at or adjacent the cover. The container and cover are both capable of being readily and inexpensively formed and assembled and may be constructed of various suitable materials, depending upon the particular uses to which the container is to be put.

While certain novel features of-the invention have been disclosed and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions and changes may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is-claimed is: 4 1. In combination, a collapsible tubular body member and a cover adapted to telescope over one end of the body member, said cover including a relatively flat discoidal end piece adapted to close the end of the body member and a constraining rim having a recess formed therein for the reception of the peripheral edge of said-end piece, said rim having a portion adapted to engage the outer surface of the body member to lock the rim on the body member/and a flange intermediatethe ends of said rim arid extending across the end of the container body, said flange having an edge portion engageable with the inside face of the body member to prevent inward collapse thereof relative to said rim.

2. In combination, a tubular container body and a pre-assembled cover telescoped over one end of the container body, said cover including a relatively rigid constraining rim having a portion adapted to engage the outer surface of the container body and a double-folded flange portion extending across the end of the container body, said double-folded flange portion having a free edge engaging the inside face of the container body whereby to prevent inward collapse of the body relative to said rim, and a relatively and extending across the end of the container body, said flange having an end portion thereof directed outwardly to grip the inside face of said body member for preventing collapse of the body member relative to the rim, and a relatively flat end piece removably associated with said rim, said rim having a groove positioned above said flange for the reception of the peripheral edge of said end piece.

4. A cover for a container including, a relatively stiff constraining member having aninwardly extending bead atone end thereof, an inwardly extending preformed lip portion at the other end thereof anda folding flange intermediate the ends, said lip portion and said flange portion being adapted for retentive engagement with the inside and outside surfaces respectively of the container body/and a removable relatively flat closuredisc within said rim member having its peripheral edge removably seated within and supported by said head.

5. In a container, the combination of a tubular body wall and a cover therefor, said cover including a relatively stiff constraining rim and a relatively flat end disc removably associated with said rim, said rim comprising a strip of formable material having a generally U-shaped portion telescoped over one end of the body wall and formed with inturned edgeportion engaging the inside and outside faces of said body, restraining said body against outward bulge and inward collapse, said rim having an integral portion upstanding from said U-shaped portion and defining an inwardly facing groove removably receiving the peripheral edge of said disc.

6. A container including in combination, a container body having an open end and a cover adapted to close the open end of the container body, said cover including a constraining .rim telescoped over the open end of said body member and a relativelyflat paperboard end disc removably supported by said rim, said rim having a flange portion extending across the end of said container body and supporting said cover, said JAMES 0. LA Gmm 

